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fog delay

The Call comes after my shower, after my makeup, after my shoes are on my feet. If I’m honest, this is the best time to get The Call. The fog is thick, altering my course of the day. Forcing me to stay home for a few hours. Like a rolling marquee the tasks march through my head.

Schedule teacher meetings. Dig through school email. Finish that punctuation unit outline. Make anchor chart for kindergarten. Throw in a load of laundry. Finish packing for NCTE. Schedule teacher meetings…

Then the footsteps. The little guy is up and he has many, many different plans. He has something of his own marquee. It goes like this:

I have a story to tell you. Let’s read some books. Can we play trains? I want to write. How about some chocolate milk? I need to dress up like Tweety Bird. Mom, won’t you play with me?

“It’s early, don’t you want to go back to bed?”

Confusion passes over his face. He doesn’t understand the concept of go back to bed, your mom has so many things that need to be done. “No, Mom,” he says, “I have a story to tell you.”

Deep momma sigh. I close my eyes and push the ticker tape tasks to the side, out of the front of my brain. I gather him up in my arms and I tell myself I won’t be able to get these sweet little boy hugs forever. I know, I know, there will be a time when I’ll beg him to get up and spend time with me. I snuggle in and he gives me a tight keep-you-forever hug. I’m ready, buddy, let me hear your story.

Sam’s SOLS: Yesterday we stayed late at school. It wasstormy (see outside the window). Mrs. Self showed usThe Cat in the Hat on the Smart Board.

Tears–because you don't know how true your statement about not getting sweet little boys hugs forever is. One day they will be gone and your fog delay agenda will happen. But you will so miss those morning hugs.

My guys are at the stage where they go, go, go, & I don't get to do with them anymore & I miss those moments so very much. There are truthfully moments when I don't know what to do with myself & my husband laughs at me! So you so right to cherish these moments! Enjoy! Katy

Love that 'deep momma sigh'. It's hard not to get going with all that is on the list, but you are right, you won't get those little boy hugs forever. I like the way you started right in with the words of 'The call', and we are immediately taken into the story. (Love the photos too.)

Ruth, I too love that “deep momma sigh.” It is such an effective descriptor to communicate the complexity and depth of emotion that sigh held. By the end of the slice, I too was ready to hear his story!

Sam, I recognized the Cat in the Hat right away! His hat and ears were good details to help me know your character. I can also tell you are a writer who collects details by noticing the world around you because the markers on the Smart Board ledge look just like the markers on the Smart Board ledges in my school. Thank you for sharing your slice of life today!

I remember seeing the title of this post, but I did not read it until today. I am so glad that I did. You captured the morning so well and it is an experience that I (and I would imagine most if not all moms) can relate to!

Elsie's comment is so true. Our motherly “to do” list is always on the go. Hold on tight to the hugs. Wish we could stop time. 🙂

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Hello there! May you find inspiration to celebrate your story, even in the middle of the muddle.

I’m the director of a professional development consortium of 30 schools in northern Indiana committed to empowering student-centered learning. I write books, articles and other stuff because I’m sure stories + teachers make the world a better place. Most importantly, I’m completely charmed by my forever family. Welcome to my corner of the world.

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